General Nutrition

Eating more minimally processed whole grains and less refined grains is good for your health. But how do you know which grain products are the best choice? Big, front-of-package words like wheat and multigrain can be misleading, the color is not a good indicator, and other ingredients contained in the item can torpedo an otherwise […]

Q: On the spectrum of processed foods, where do supposedly healthy foods such as plant milks, frozen veggie burgers, and seasoned frozen fish fit in? A: Judith C. Thalheimer, RD, LDN, managing editor of Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter, answers: “According to the most commonly used criteria, minimally processed foods are whole foods that have […]

Virtually every tissue in the body has receptors for vitamin D. This fact led to the hypothesis that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels might be helpful for multiple health conditions. Screening to check blood levels of vitamin D has become common and an estimated one third of U.S. adults 60 years of age or older […]

There is a growing body of research suggesting high intake of processed foods is associated with various health problems, especially when those foods are highly—or ultra—processed. Many public health guidelines, from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to World Health Organization recommendations, encourage limiting intake of processed foods. But what, exactly, are processed foods? (See “What […]

Whether you’re off to work, school, or a day trip, packing a healthy lunch doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming. While it can be tempting to turn to time-saving convenience foods, these often highly processed items may not be the best choice (see this month’s Special Supplement for more information). Pack in Nutrition. […]

The research is clear: eating more whole or minimally processed plants is better for our health. Knowing how to easily make foods like vegetables taste great can help you consume more of these health-promoting options in place of less healthful choices. Building Flavor. Most U.S. adults don’t meet the recommended intake of vegetables. When we […]

The majority of Americans do not meet the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and this puts them at elevated risk for numerous diet-related chronic diseases. Public policy has an important role to play in making sure everyone in the U.S. has access to nutritious, safe, affordable food to lower the risk of developing […]

The global market for applications (apps) and devices that track and monitor your lifestyle—from calorie, nutrient, and food intake to daily steps, sleep, water intake, and heart rate—is expected to reach more than 105 billion U.S. dollars by 2030. While the research on whether health apps can help us achieve long term results is still […]

It’s hot out! High temperatures increase the risk of dehydration. Fluids are critical to optimal body function. They help regulate body temperature, control blood pressure, deliver nutrients and oxygen to cells, and aid proper functioning of the gastrointestinal system. When fluid levels drop, a wide variety of systems in the body are affected. Knowing the […]